Digitization is an inevitable trend for the development of radio and television broadcasting around the world in the era of information technology boom, according to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung Monday.

The remarks were made by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the opening ceremony of the 50th General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU GA 50), themed "Serving Our Audience in the Digital Era", in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Monday.

Digital broadcasting narrows the gap in space and time. The audiences now can watch television programs anywhere, anytime with various types of receiving devices. This diversity boasts challenges for the broadcasting industry, said Prime Minister Dung.

Fully aware of the growing trend, Vietnamese government has always created favorable conditions for the all-round development of broadcasting in Vietnam towards modernization, professionalization and diversification, Dung added.

At the same time, Vietnam promotes cooperation and integration with regional and international agencies to improve the effectiveness of broadcasting, thus contributing to increasing people's knowledge and strengthening friendship with countries around the world, Dung said.

In 2011, Vietnamese government deployed the project on broadcasting digitization in Vietnam by 2020, aiming to convert the transmission infrastructure from analog to digital technology, said the prime minister.

Addressing the event, ABU Acting Chairman Naoji Ono highlighted the significance of the ABU GA 50 as one of the most important events in regional broadcasting industry to review the ABU's operations and map out strategic development plans for the union in the future.

During the two-day gathering, over 500 international delegates and 200 Vietnamese representatives will discuss and share knowledge, map out working directions to better meet the demand of audiences all around the world.

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union was established in 1964 with the mission of supporting its members in broadcasting activities. The ABU network has 255 members in 63 countries and regions.